About to turn sixteen, Marnie Taylor is rebellious--fighting often with her mother, Ashleigh--and jealous of her more even-tempered and popular twin sister, Callie. Lonely, Marnie finds a compassionate listener in Brad, whom she meets online. Spinning a web of lies to throw her parents off, Marnie arranges an in-person meet-up with Brad. But she realizes too late that she has been targeted in a sinister scheme for ransom.

Quinn's vivid cast of characters returns in this high-tension, stand-alone sequel. Though their actions are plausible, none of them behaves as others might predict in this tale that discloses the darker behaviors people are capable of. Cougar Viviana De Mornay takes Chicago's fashion world and ''Italian Stallion'' Gino Cabello by storm. Tony Wainwright, who has paid his dues for a past crime and appears to have turned his life around, is catapulted to the top of the list of suspects. PI Ross Pocino is on the scene with his surprising insights into criminal behavior, and Paige Toddman's mother, Helen, seems to grow younger every day. While some mothers can unintentionally do unspeakable harm to their children, Ashleigh's steel-magnolia efforts to wrest her daughter from her captor redeem the sacredness of that role.

Ashleigh once again finds herself in the middle of a horrible situation. Having already survived through a kidnapping/attack and one of her twins being kidnapped, now the other one is. This may sound like a bit much at first, but Darlene Quinn writes in such a way that all you feel is grief and suspense as this new chapter in her life unfolds.Once again all the players seem to overlap in strange and surprising ways. Ways that will be very important as things come together in the end and work themselves out. I really enjoy how the reader is allowed to see both sides of the story as it all unfolds. Instead of "giving away" too much and ruining the suspense element, it only adds to it. Seeing things from everyone's perspective really adds a nice touch and quite a bit of atmosphere to the story as well.Another great addition to this tale of the retail giants, I'm glad that Darlene Quinn moved into a more personal look into their lives instead of focusing on the business aspects. While the business is interesting, seeing into their lives at a more personal level really brings the characters to life and I become fully invested in their stories and lives.*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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